As Thanksgiving draws near, I’d like to express gratitude for blessings we have received in our own backyard. This past Saturday (Nov. 17) the youth of Muddy Creek and Unionville Presbyterian churches gathered at the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department for a safety demonstration. As people know, children are captivated by fire trucks, and the men and women who volunteered their time to educate the children will bear benefits for years to come. It is much easier, and safer, to teach children how to avoid starting fires than it is to send in someone to rescue them when a fire is raging. I wish to express my gratitude to these men and women for not only providing safety and protection within the community, but also for presenting a superb safety class and demonstration. The parents who accompanied the children agreed that it was one of the finest safety events in which they ever had participated. We owe a debt of gratitude to all firefighters for their dedication and courage. I again express my thanks to the men and women of the Unionville Volunteer Fire Department.